Some Changes At The Top.

State Labor Secertary Stephen Schmerin ...... has resigned and will leave his job next week, the Associated Press reports this afternoon.
Schmerin, a former private practice lawyer who's been with Gov. Ed since the beginning of his administration, informed his staff of his decision in an e-mail on Thursday morning.Department spokesman Troy Thompson said he did not know what
Schmerin plans to do after he leaves office Jan. 31 and that an
explanation about why Schmerin is quitting would probably be provided
later. the AP reported.Rendell administration spokesman Chuck Ardo e-mailed the AP a statement saying Schmerin led the department with "integrity, intellect and energy.""While his many accomplishments as secretary have largely gone
unnoticed by the public and the press, he has been an outstanding
leader of a critical state agency," Ardo said.The state Labor & Industry Department has about 6,000 workers in 200
offices. It administers unemployment and workers' compensation
benefits, provides vocational rehabilitation, performs job training,
enforces workplace law and safety standards, and seeks to improve the
state's economic conditions.